Minnesota Hopes To Continue Its Dominance Over Dallas

The Minnesota Vikings are 5-0 ATS in their last five games against Dallas and a perfect 8-0 SU and ATS in their last eight games as a betting favorite against the Cowboys. Minnesota will try to extend those streaks with a win and cover Sunday at home over Dallas.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Vikings opened as 9.5-point favorites, but early action on the Cowboys has driven the line down to Minnesota -7. Bettors have also trended toward the UNDER, pushing the line down from its opener at 50 points to 48.5 points. The UNDER is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the Vikings and Cowboys.

Dallas News & Notes

Dallas jumped out to a 13-0 lead at home over the Pittsburgh Steelers and eventually went into the fourth quarter with a 19-9 lead. The Cowboys appeared to be on their way to an upset win as 14-point home underdogs, but the Steelers scored two touchdowns and a field goal in the fourth quarter to escape with a 24-19 win.

Since allowing 39.6 points per game during a five-game stretch, the Cowboys defense has allowed only 24 points per game over its last three games.

The team’s biggest issue now has shifted over to the offense, which is averaging a dismal 10.3 points per game over the last four games. Andy Dalton is expected to return to the starting quarterback role Sunday after clearing concussion and COVID-19 protocols, but he hasn’t been effective in Dak Prescott’s absence.

Ezekiel Elliott has been particularly awful over the Cowboys’ current 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS skid, with no touchdowns and only 208 rushing yards on 61 carries.

Minnesota News & Notes

When the Vikings got off to a 1-5 SU and 3-3 ATS start, many fans were calling for the team to start tanking in hopes of finishing with a high draft pick and potentially a replacement for Kirk Cousins at quarterback.

But after an impressive 3-0 SU and ATS run through the NFC North, the tides have suddenly turned. Minnesota still has work to do to earn a playoff spot at 4-5 SU and 6-3 ATS, but a three-game home stretch against Dallas, Carolina and Jacksonville could allow the Vikings to keep things rolling.

While Cousins has been playing better over Minnesota’s current three-game winning streak, Dalvin Cook is without question the star of the offense. Cook has racked up five touchdowns and 465 rushing yards on 82 carries over this three-game stretch. He leads the NFL in rushing yards with 954 and rushing touchdowns with 12 heading into this weekend’s action.

Betting Pick: Minnesota -7

Dallas has had a bye week to prepare for this game, but it may not matter. Cook should torch this weak Cowboys rushing defense, and Dallas hasn’t shown enough on offense with Prescott out to suggest it will be able to keep up.